Afterword for anyone who sees this video close to its release date: I skimmed over the concept of the Dark Forest cats' morality / redemption and Starclan's choices very briefly here since the topic is a far larger one than I could cover with material from A Light in the Mist or even the whole Broken Code arc on its own, and it's one that I'd like to dedicate a whole video to later, but that was honestly the worst thing about this new book. Since there is so much material from this book to add to the discussion of the Starclan / Dark Forest divide and the concepts of redemption in Warriors, I would like to make this video sooner rather than later, and hope to have it out by the end of December, though that date isn't set in stone just yet.

7 moon old apprentice as the only character in a position of power, please warrior cats

The thought of what happened to Bristlefrost is, for me, incredibly heartbreaking. Even though I didn’t care for BristleRoot I still feel like crying whenever I read that part where Rootspring is lamenting that he’ll never be able to tell her she was more important to him than anything else.

That last comment about Mistystar and Reedwhisker dying and Frostpaw having to choose the new leader aged very well..LOL

It bothers me Lionblaze directly went against his leader(Squirrelflight) and her orders in front of his clan and Shadowclan, but when Squirrelflight lets her opinion be known (that kicking out the Sisters is inhumane), she gets so much hate from Bramblestar and her clanmates. Why wasn’t Lionblaze as a deputy and Squirrelflight’s adopted son met with the same expectations?

“Helping him gain control over all 4 clans” SkyClan crying in the corner

Sunny's joy over the fact that bristlefrost's personality came back in a light in the mist, made my day

I would honestly laugh if Mistystar outlives her son in age

I still think Sol would have been a better antagonist than Ashfur. If any cat would want to destroy everything the Clans are and everything thing they stand for, it would be Sol. Plus we have already seen that he can be a master manipulator. Also, the love triangle between him, Squirrelflight and Bramblestar never sat well with me. I always thought it was rather stupid and they just threw it in for pointless drama. Which leads me to...*Possible Spoilers* I will fully support any decision that gets rid of forbidden romance drama. As someone who has been with the series since the original arc, it has gotten painfully old and annoying. Every arc, with the possible exception of Dawn of the Clans, has had some variation of a forbbiden/cross Clan romance and I am so done with it.

The only thing starclan should actually be good for is the 9 lives they give, and the promise of an afterlife. The 9 lives prevent a clan from being in a constant state of leadership usurping because it's much harder to kill a leader than a normal cat, but yeah.. otherwise they don't actually serve much purpose.

I think one of the arc's major issues is that no one has much of anything to do outside the main plot. Everything and every interaction ultimately comes back tot he main plot and no side characters gets their own arc or story unless it was made into a novella or superedition. It's better than the plot falling to the wayside but given the tediousness of the second half they had a lot of room to have done so given the scope of the situation and the numerous cats with interesting stories caused by the situation. At most we get Mothflight being persecuted and Shadowsight's parent's depseration to keep him safe, but these are all cats who've had a spotlight already. Flipclaw probably gets the most, being forced to be a medicine cat and then going for the wander, but I have a hard time thinking of any other side stories, most cats don't even get mentioned by name.

This arc with all its ups and downs, highs and lows, was at least very interesting to the last. I have mixed feelings but I really want to know how this arc directly leads into the next. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on it as it comes!

I find it hilarious that the whole reason the broken code.happenwd was because ashfur was basically being the worst Karen in the entire world, think about it, he was willing to destroy three separate dimensions full of cats just because he thought that he was wronged that squirrelflight chose bramblestar instead of him

Man I hate having to hold off on watching all this videos (Yours, Moonkitti's and Brights) because my book is still being delivered and keeps being pushed to the next day over. Good news, I should be able to read it today after work though since the book FINALLY made it to the city I live in. It's suck having to read a book super slowly while waiting for the next to arrive qwq. I SHALL RETURN SOOOOOONNN!

I was a little afraid to watch this because the general sentiment I’ve seen towards this book has been pretty negative, but I more or less agree with you on all points! Is the book HEAVILY flawed? Oh yes, very yes. But I still enjoyed it, a very great deal. All of our protagonists felt like themselves again, there was a real sense of stakes, and in the end there was consequences and loss, despite the victory. Not a perfect book, but I still enjoyed it.

"But if Mistystar and Reedwhisker could both die leaving Frostpaw to chose the next leader a la Code of The Clans, I would be even happier!" Sunny. Sunny. SUNNY. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENS. Great video!

I had to laugh at the exact prediction of the murder mystery in RiverClan omg

I hated BristleRoot but it grew on me. And Bristle’s death was heartbreaking. I wanted her to be the next girlboss . And WHY are some of the OG characters so OOC? I feel like Mothwing was way more heartless than she really is, same with Mistystar

SUNNY THE GREAT HAS POSTED!!

Great analysis, I love this video! The only thing I don’t get though is how many people are criticizing ALITM for not changing up the code all that much. In my opinion since the entire next arc is gonna be about changing the code, it would feel super rushed for them to change it in a big way at the end of ALITM so I’m glad that didn’t happen. Can’t wait for the next arc!

The fricking audacity they had to kill off bristlefrost 💀 🔫

you're one of my fav warriors channels, i'm glad i came across it recently!

2 years? It’s already been that long? o_O How time flies…

Amazing video sunny! I agree with alot of what ur saying and Bristlefrost's death was one of the saddest

So something that’s been bugging me about Shadowsight’s outcome is that apparently Ashfur was the route of his connection to StarClan? So was Ashfur always there? Was he there when Shadowsight was having his visions as a kitten? Like in Tawnypelt’s Clan, the novella that centered around Shadow’s vision of the Tribe of Rushing Water? Did Ashfur give him that vision? Or was it more like Ashfur was directing prophecies from StarClan to Shadowsight…?

Honestly, the arc may have issues, but it's the first time in a while that I have genuinely liked ALL the main characters portrayed. Bristlefrost, Shadowsight, and Rootspring were all easy for me to love. Loved Alderheart and Needletail and Violetshine... liked Twigbranch, but she wasn't a favorite. Meanwhile, Lionblaze and Hollyleaf were never cats I cared for, which made parts of Omen of the Stars and Power of Three a slog. I was always bitter that TNP didn't give us Tawnypelt and Crowpaw POVs, but I enjoyed Brambleclaw, Squirrelpaw/flight and Stonefur well enough.

I’ve been thinking for like a week about this book, and I think it was really good; however The ending gave me some mixed feelings. I think drowning in the dark water was a lame way to end it. Yes, it’s sad that rootspring couldn’t save her from the fate she saved him from in book 1, and that’s a good way to tie it all together. On the other hand, rootspring was able to escape the dark water earlier in the arc, through his love for Bristlefrost. The concept that hope can alter the dark forest could have been explored further here, but instead she sinks with Ashfur, dragging him down. In my opinion, IF they were planning on her living, they should have wrote violetshine out of the last scene and let Rootspring dive in. As Ashfur sinks to the depths, he is filled with rage and fear. Bristlefrost feels only love. When Rootspring reaches her, the water is already losing effect due to the overwhelming positive emotions of the two and the death of Ashfur. I think it was a good ending nonetheless, I just wished they had written it in a way that made more sense compared with the rest of the arc. Alright, my rant is over and it’s time to continue my reread of every warriors book while I wait for A Starless Clan.

I was also thinking something along the lines of mistystar and reedwhisker dieing and she chooses a new leader

Haven't finished the arc yet but I have tgoughts about the dark forest. I think the wiki suggests that One-eye (from dotc, not the Thunderclan elder) might have played a role in the creation of the df. Fourtrees was the birthplace of Starclan due to the huge battle that took place. So starclan was born, the warrior code was made, hurrah. I think one-eye (or another cat from dotc-ish who cares) died with enough malice and hatred towards the clans that when he died he either created or found the dark forest. He was probably stuck there alone for years and years until cats who didn't go to starclan would end up trickling in there and finding each other like in oots. There's a lot that could be done with just the lore of how it came to be. Oooh I just remembered that back I. The day there was some sort of forrum/fb post from the Erin's saying that thistleclaw initially went to starclan but was chased out by bluestar when she died. (Tgis was back in like '08 so well before his character was cemented as an evil sonofabitch) but if that were true, it could have been that ashfur found the starclan/df border and collaborated with thistle since I don't think he died in the great battle I don't remember

So glad that we're all are in acceptance that Starclan tends to be the worst thing in these books. I want there to be change, but we'll have to just wait and see what happens, with an arc called Starless Clans, I can only hope. Also LOVED your descriptions of the new three, very accurate.

I'd love to see the apprentice's quest sometime! I love your analysis

I was scared at the beginning of the ark that the imposter was hitting on Brisle Frost but when found out it was Ash Fur knew he wouldn't let go of his dream of Squirrel Flight as his.

The bristlefrost death was sad but fitting I think. I didn’t like how Shadow sight couldn’t connect with star clan just because he heard Ashfur’s lies. He was manipulated.

Been waiting to watch this after I finished this series so now here is in my opinion worst to best out of the series (note that none of the series are bad) 7:The new prophecy 6:The broken code 5:Power of three 4:Dawn of the clans 3:Vision of shadows 2:Omen of the stars 1:The prophecy begins

The more we learn about StarClan the more pathetic they become. Its honestly really disappointing, I have a hard time respecting them now. I miss the StarClan from the very first arc, wise and mysterious. The spirit cats in their hunting grounds were simply ghosts, resting peacefully while helping their ancestors. Now StarClan don't even seem like they are spirits, the cats there have the same personalities (well that is a good thing I want them to still be the same cat, however they are supposed to be wise ghosts at peace. Instead they still have the emotions of living cats, with arrogance, anger, annoyance, and have been shown to have poor judgment many times before, espessially in the most recent arc), and I don't feel to awful for cats that die because I know they are going to a happy, safe haven but will be the exact same as they were in life without the hardships, just with some stars in their pelt. Its really irritating. I honestly started to truly feel this way in Squirrelflight's Heart. What. What in StarClan was THAT. A mouse flippin trial!? They are the ones that had convinced Squrrielflight to take in the three, and Feathertail had basically gave Leafpool her blessing to become Crowfeather's mate. And on top of that, instead of being civil and wise, they did nothing but scream at the two poor sisters who really didn't do anything wrong. Especially Moth Flight, like what is her deal? I don't understand how Ashfur could have fooled all of StarClan (I'm glad he did because I really liked him in this arc great, psychotic, obsessive villain) but I can get over that. It is sending POOR INNOCENT LITTLE JUNIPERCLAW THAT MADE ME SOOOO FREAKING MAD!!! From all we know about you now, how so yoy figure YOU have the authority to send a cat to the worst hell possible for the rest of his life after he admitted he had been trying to help but made a grave mistake when poisoning the Fresh Kill pile, sacrificing his life for a kit, trying incredibly hard not to let the Dark Forest taint him and keeping his good heart, and again putting his life on the line to help the battle Ashfur and his army. He did it, not to get into StarClan, but become he does care about the clans and wanted to save his brother from Ashfur's control. Then StarClan sent him away (Granted he got a super cool and incredibly important job guarding StarClan's new tunnel, but thats still a horrible existence. AND IF THEY TRUST HIM ENOUGH FOR THAT THEN WHY ISN'T HE IN STARCLAN!?!?). ON TOP of all this, the one who was there judging Juniperclaw. The one and only, Skystar. Thats right, Clear Sky, the man who started a war between his friends and family, who LOTERALLY MURDERED AND BETRAYED his kin and former denmates. Juniperclaw poisoned some prey for a good reason (even though his brain turned to fox-dung that day and it was obviously a terrible idea). How does that compare to Clear Sky? This is ridiculous. In short, StarClan is pathetic. Sorry for ranting i had originally planned this to simply be one paragraph but I'm very mad about this (I didn't really enjoy everything else about the book, though. But man Squrrielf and Leafpool's trial made absolutely 0 sense and totally ruined my view of what StarClan is supposed to be).

Just finished Broken Code! Took me a while

I am so glad I finished Lights in the mist last night lol before watching this- 🤣

Honestly, since the new series is called A Starless CLAN, I think one of the leaders is going to lose faith in StarClan again (for whatever reason)... and that leader will probably be Mistystar because of course it will. Maybe Sol will come back, IDK.

Honestly, Bristlefrost deserve better.

Loved it

I like this series, didn’t really like book 4 and 5 the most, but the other books were pretty good. Really liked Lost Stars and The Silent Thaw the most!

Something that could have helped the cats when it comes to getting judged. Show flashes of the newly dead cat's life, based on their feelings during/after their bad/evil deeds, had they ended up living to an old age instead. Would they have lived a life of regret and/or trying to atone, or would they have been happy with their crimes, and/or gone on to do more rule breaking? Sure, it might sound too out there and too magical/mystical, but I say f it, seeing how we at this point already have timetravel, reincarnation, timeloop (modern Jayfeather affects the ancient's lives so that they can become the clans and Jayfeather can be reborn), the connection between the living world and the afterlife can be cut off (using vines, twigs or whatever it was) spirits that has been alive since the dawn of time as they're cursed to live forever, dying while dreaming, summoning spirits/ghosts, being erased from all/every plaine of exsistance, spirits/ghosts being able to be killed a second time even though they don't have a body that relies on air or blood, bodypossession, manipulation/control over spirits/ghosts, cats with magical powers, and spirits/ghosts can come down/show themselves and physically help out a living cat in trouble anyway. Also, while Quick Water is long gone, Shadowstar sure isn't. She should definetly had spoken up for Juniperclaw, seeing how the cat that axed her off and tried to destroy her clan was granted, apperently, automatic access into StarClan along with her by simply just saying one "Sorry, that was wrong of me" line. The trails StarClan have should really include StarClan cats who have broken the same code and gotten in, who are willing to speak on the behalf off and support the cat being judged.

Bristlefrost 🥺

So, I'm curious; What are your thoughts on Frecklewish from Mapleshade's Vengance being in the Dark Forest?

10:02 well good news...

man im only starting the 5th book of series two

Well I think that Sol is going to come back because last time he ran away saying that they didn't see the last of him so I'm kinda of hoping that he appears again

I have a feeling that bristlefrost dying has ruined the book for many, everywhere you look it's boo hoo bristlefrost. I get it, but overall I think the Erin's did a good job with this arc, it's not easy writing a series that's been around for almost 2 decades.

Wait my birthday is November 10th and hers is November 9th :0

My biggest complaint: Graystripe died before EFFING MISTYSTAR

broke the code

Already simping for sunbeam and I know almost nothing about them I like like their name and design grr

Oh and I HATE that any cat can get into the afterlives! Why is Darktail in Dark Forest when he was never a clan cat

Did Spotfur have her kits?

I just think the premise was interesting, but it could've been executed way better than it was.

I am a Badger

10:10 Uhhh

Honestly th is book was pretty bad, greystripe had to be the one who delivered the message to ashfur and not squirrel flight I mean squilf was the one who did that, and guess what Squilf and bramble are back, the fandom is going to be outraged

i actually kind of loved this arc a lot, i enjoyed all of it except 4 and a little of 5. 4 was just boring and kind of unbelievable lmao

i alwats just lose my mind whenevet i hear a cat youtuber say "the impostor" i am so fucking ඞ

Maybe the Dark Forest lore keeps changing because StarClan created it and StarClan is stupid and doesn’t care about it so the DF is inconsistent and constantly changing.

Y'all better leave Mistystar alone

((spoilers)) "if mistystar and reedwhisker could both die" if only you'd known how correct you would be

The only thing I like from this arc is showing how crappy StarClan became. It shows how unjust they can be and how not every StarClan Cat is good, seeing how unforgivable they are and their damnation is more irreversible than the US judicial system

Star Clan=Congress

Ok you are so cute i love The character

Glorified fix fanfic

she hardly predicted the plot of a starless clan..

I absolutely despise this book. TBC had such potential as an arc. It was unique in the sense that it had a real mystery for the readers to solve(granted, a very easy one), Shadowsight who was set up in VoS and Bristlefrost, who was rejected. But then this book absolutely ruined it. The book goes around in circles. Fight ashfur, run, recruit new cats, think positive and then repeat. It’s even more annoying because of the Place of No Stars, which was already extremely repetitive. Firestar being shoved in was just so stupid. The Forestar possession chapter might be the worst Firestar chapter in Warriors history. It has no context, set up or any real consequences. Firestar literally just went “Hi, trust me and you won’t die” and then just leaves, with no explanation whatsoever. Root and Brislte’s chapters also feel identical to each other, reading them seems like actual work. They also for some reason left Bramble and Squilf out of the fight completely, making Firestar and Greystripe the Heroes, despite them being inconsequential to the arc before this book, and Ashfur as a character. The concept of starclan was also completely obliterated this book. Any mysticism still intact was completely shattered, and now just feel like the tribe. The writers obviously still have the intentions of making them seem righteous and wise but at this point starclan just becomes worse every time we see them. Darktail is also back and that’s just lazy writing. It’s somewhat alright if you’re using characters that have been gone for generations but Darktail was here last arc, throwing him in last minute for two chapters was stupid. At this point can we trust anyone to stay dead? And I also hate the Bramblestar and Greystripe hero worship. Graystripe is an average warrior and Bramblestar is an average leader, who is arguably a horrible person. It’s so annoying when Leafstar, the leader who obviously has the best moral code and the current best leader questions Bramblestar and Shadowsight is just like “how could she doubt the amazing Bramblestar?”. I hate this book